Surface condenser



F. s. BENNETT SURFACE CONDENSER Filed Nov 25, 1933 Fi -I.

April 4, 1939.

\\\\N$ I M 1/ m Z AE 0 Z l 2 5 ooo@o@@@@@ ooooaooofig 5 ooooo@@@@@ 0000000 00 M W m u F 0 00000000 2 oooooooo 2 00000000 0000 0000 M M -c\\\\ L2 Inventor: Ffank S. Bennett,

y His Attornev.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFIE SURFACE CONDENSER New York Application November 23, 1938, Serial No. 241,981

8 Claims.

This invention relates to surface condensers and more particularly to surface condensers of the water cooled type.

Condensers are usually provided for receiving the exhaust from elastic fluid consuming apparatus, such as turbines, and reducing the exhaust to condensate for the purpose of conserving the boiler feed liquid and also for suitably reducing the back pressure to the consuming apparatus. Cooling water is forced through a plurality of tubes extending between headers arranged on the opposite sides of the main condenser drum and around which tubes the exhaust fluid is circulated and condensed. For high efliciency, the elastic fluid should enter the condenser with the least practical resistance and the pressure drop through the condenser should be reduced to a minimum. The non-condensables should be rapidly cleared from the heattransfer surfaces, and removed at a low temperature with the least expenditure of mechanical energy. The condensate should also be rapidly cleared from the heat-transfer surfaces and returned to the boilers at the maximum practical temperature while the circulating cooling water should pass through the condenser with the least friction and at a relatively high velocity consistent with high efiiciency. The condenser according to my invention satisfies these requirements to a higher degree than heretofore possible.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved single pass condenser arrangement which is simple in design, of relatively low manufacturing cost, and highly eflicient in operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved water cooled surface condenser of the single pass type in which a more uniform distribution of the load is obtained, the temperature of the condensate being maintained at a relatively high value while a high degree of separation of non-eondensables from the water vapor is accomplished.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention a water cooled surface condenser is provided with an arrangement of water tubes in the upper portion of the main condensing drum providing a triangular shaped passage for the elastic fluid extending the length of the drum. The elastic fluid to be condensed is directed into the space between the water tubes at the wide end of the passage while the non-condensables are withdrawn from the drum at the opposite end adjacent the coolest ends of the water tubes, The

condensate is collected in the lower portion of the main condenser drum which is in communication with the triangularly shaped passage substantially the full length of the drum so that the upper surface of the condensate is exposed to the elastic fluid passed into the condenser whereby it is maintained substantially at vacuum temperature.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following description and the claims appended thereto taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is .a longitudinal section through the condenser embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section; while Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser taken along the line 3--3.

Referring to the drawing, the condenser comprises a longitudinal outer shell or main condenser drum H) which may be substantially rectangular in cross-section as indicated and which may readily be fabricated from stock material. A cooling water inlet chamber I I is secured to one end of the shell and an outlet chamber 12 to the other end with a pair of banks l3 and M of water tubes communicating therebetween through the upper portion of the main condensing chamber II). This singlepass arrangement facilitates the maintenance of high cooling water velocities with a minimum expenditure of energy. Elastic fluid to be condensed is passed into the main condenser drum through the inlet l5 provided therein adjacent the outlet end of the water tubes, while non-condensables are withdrawn through the connections 16 provided adjacent the opposite or inlet ends of the water tubes. It will be noted that the two banks of water tubes are angularly arranged within the shell, being relatively close together at the water inlet end and spaced relatively far apart at the other end as shown clearly in Fig. 2 providing a triangularly or wedge-shaped passage 11 therebetween. The inlet 15 communicates with the wide end of the passage I1 which provides a low 4 resistance entrance into the drum for the elastic fluid. Since the opposite end of the drum is maintained at a relatively lower pressure due to the action of the electors (not shown) which banks of tubes. Baffle plates I8 are periodically arranged across the banks of tubes to prevent high Velocities of elastic fluid flow longitudinally therethrough toward the outlet end. A baflle plate I9 extending between the upper and lower walls of the main condenser drum is arranged transversely of the tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet providing relatively small passages 20 between the outer edges thereof and the side walls of the main condenser drum. Additional baflle plates 2| arranged parallel with the plate I 9 and between it and the non-condensables outlets extend from the side walls part way through the tube banks. The mixture of noncondensables and vapor passing around the edges of the baffle plate I9 is caused to flow circuitously several times across the tube banks, which at this end are relatively cool, whereby the remaining traces of vapor are condensed leaving but dry non-condensables to be drawn through the outlets l6.

The water tubes may be secured in the tube sheets in any well-known manner. In the preferred embodiment, the tubes are rigidly fastened therein however, with provision being made for tube expansion during operation. Screws 22 threaded into the side walls of the drum are adapted to engage with the edges of the baffle plates I8 and bow the tube banks slightly during the assembly of the condenser after which they may be slacked oif, or removed. Members 23 extend transversely across the condenser drum for supporting the weight of the tube banks intermediate their ends, the weight being transmitted thereto through the sloping bafile plates 24.

During the operation of the condenser as the tubes expand, the banks slide down the plates 24, under the force of gravity, without transmitting stresses to the end sheet connections. As they contract, they are drawn back up the inclined plates to the previous position. In both conditions, the weight of the mid-section of the banks is carried primarily by the supports 23 rather than through the tube sheets.

Since the banks of water tubes are arranged within the upper portion of the main condenser drum, a chamber 25 is provided in the lower portion thereof for the accumulation and storage of condensate. The condensate chamber 25 is in communication with the passage I? substantially throughout the length of the drum, the baflle plates 24 extending only from the side walls of the drum to the inner edges of the tube banks I3 and I4. A portion of the elastic fluid flowing into the condenser through the inlet I passes downwardly through the passage I! and into the "condensate chamber 25 impinging upon the surface of the liquid accumulated therein to maintain the temperature thereof at the maximum value corresponding to the operating vacuum. The condensate draining off of the sloping edges of the baffle plates 24 effects a certain condensation of the elastic fluid within the chamber 25, the condensate being also reheated thereby substantially to the vacuum temperature. While the drainage of condensate from the storage chamber through the outlet 26 is regulated in accordance with the boiler demand, for greatest efficiency in operation it is desirable that a certain quantity of condensate be maintained within the chamber 22. It is understood, however, that the upper surface of the condensate should be maintained considerably below the lower tubes of the cooler banks in order that the high temperature of the condensate be maintained.

Having described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a pair of banks of Water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said banks being spaced relatively Wide apart at the inlet end of said drum and relatively close together at the opposite end of said drum so as to form a triangular space between said banks of tubes, a waterinlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet end of said drum, a Water outlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet of said drum,

a chamber in said drum beneath said banks of tubes in communication with said triangular space for substantially the length of said drum, said last mentioned chamber being adapted to be maintained partly filled with condensate the upper surface thereof to be contacted by elastic fluid passing from said inlet through said triangular space.

2. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged" longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a pair of banks of water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said banks being spaced relatively wide apart at the inlet end of said drum and relatively close together at the opposite end of said drum so as to form'a triangular space between said banks of tubes, a water inlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet end of said drum, a Water outlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet or" said drum, an accumulator for condensate beneath said banks of tubes and in communication with said triangular space for substantially the length of said drum, baffle plates arranged beneath said banks of tubes for draining the condensate from said tubes into said accumulator adjacent said passage.

3. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a plurality of water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said tubes being so arranged within said drum as to provide a triangular space extending substantially the length of said drum from said elastic fluid inlet and converging toward said non-condensables outlet, a water inlet chamber in communication with said tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet, a water outlet chamber in communication with said tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet, an accumulator for'condensate arranged beneath said tubes communicating with said triangular space for substantially the length of said drum.

4. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a pair of banks of water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said banks being spaced relatively wide apart at the inlet end of said drum and relatively close together at the opposite end of said drum so as to form a triangular space between said banks of tubes, a water inlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet end of said drum, a water outlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet of said drum, an accumulator for condensate beneath said banks of tubes and in communication with said triangular space for substantially the length of said drum.

5. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a pair of banks of water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said banks being spaced relatively wide apart at the inlet end of said drum and relatively close together at the opposite end of said drum so as to form a triangular space between said banks of tubes, a water inlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet end of said drum, a water outlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet of said drum, baffle plates arranged transversely of said banks of tubes adjacent said outlet for non-condensables for forcing the non-condensables across said banks of tubes a plurality of times adjacent the water inlet ends thereof.

6. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a pair of banks of water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said banks being spaced relatively wide apart at the inlet end of said drum and relatively close together at the opposite end of said drum so as to form a triangular space between said banks of tubes, the elastic fluid inlet of said drum communicating directly with said triangular space adjacent the wide end thereof, a water inlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet end of said drum, a water outlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet of said drum.

'7. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, a pair of banks of water tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said banks being spaced relatively wide apart at the inlet end of said drum and relatively close together at the opposite end of said drum so as to form a triangular space between said banks of tubes, a water inlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the non-condensables outlet end of said drum, a water outlet chamber communicating with said banks of tubes adjacent the elastic fluid inlet of said drum.

8. A surface condenser comprising a horizontally arranged longitudinal drum having an inlet adjacent one end for elastic fluid to be condensed and an outlet for non-condensables adjacent the opposite end, means for draining condensate from said drum, a plurality of cooling fluid tubes extending longitudinally of said drum, said tubes being so arranged within said drum between said elastic fluid inlet and said non-condensables outlet as to form a triangularly shaped passage extending the length of said drum between said inlet and said outlet.

FRANK S. BENNETT. 

